Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – October 18th, 2024
Bottom Line: This weekly feature is designed to recognize those who've paid the ultimate price in service and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe. After years of increases in LODs, including multiple record years, thankfully 2023 produced the fewest line-of-duty deaths in the 2000’s. LODs are currently pacing 6% lower than a year ago.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 113 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 3 in Florida
- Through September 283 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Massachusetts, Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise.
- In Jacksonville, Officer Bradford McNew (pictured) was murdered was while defending a woman who being assaulted at a gas station. Upon witnessing a male assaulting a female, Officer McNew intervened. The attacker grabbed a gun firing at Bradford as he drove away. The perpetrator was detained in North Carolina the next day and has been charged with murder among other charges. Bradford is survived by his wife and son.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 39, the average tour-of-duty – 10 years. In addition to losing 113 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 62 widows and 139 children who’ve lost a parent.